HOLYLAND

Travel Agents and Tour Guides

Some tour operators will organize the whole pilgrimage for you and others will only handle the land portion. You may need a US travel agent for the flights to and from. That's noted for each operator. Below is a list of general travel agents who will organize the whole pilgrimage for you and others who do not handle the travel to and from Jerusalem. Some are based in Jerusalem and others in the US or UK. Specialized NGOs or tour operators are listed at the end. You can ask your general travel agent to contract with them. If you are looking to join an existing pilgrimage, see Join an Existing Pilgrimage for links and contact information.

Travel Agents

Headquartered in Jerusalem

Will arrange interfaith pilgrimages and those seeking to experience this land from the perspective of many faith traditions. They will supply sample itineraries, guides and a hotel near St. George's Cathedral. The American Cathedral in Paris has used GCC for many years. Ask for an itinerary inspired by AFEDJ and you won't be disappointed.

Iyad is a guide and tour organizer who has organized many pilgrimages for Episcopal groups. He is very familiar with the Episcopal institutes in the Holy Land and in demand. He does not arrange flights. Contact a US travel agent such as Amanda Slattery at Travel Emporium www.tvlemporium.com.

Headquartered in the United States

Lightline North America combines thirty years’ accumulated understanding of the special needs of Christian travelers with the intimate knowledge of the countries in which they operate to offer unique pilgrim tours of the Holy Land. Lightline collaborates with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem on their tours and works exclusively with Chrisitian suppliers.

MEDJI means honor and that word is the focus of their travel - honoring the history, the land, and the people who live in the Holy Land today. You'll have the chance to learn from Christioans and others about what it means to practice their faith in a land full of such significance, beauty and tension.

If you use WPM, state that you would like a Palestinian Christian guide and that you would like to include one Episcopal Church on a Sunday in the itinerary.

Specialized NGOs/Tour Operators

ICAHD: The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions

Widely known for its knowledgeable tour guides, ICAHD has a grounded approach to the politics of occupation and the difficulties of Palestinian life. You will visit a West Bank settlement and will better appreciate what a just and lasting peace would entail.

A social enterprise tour agency providing tours that are informative and analytical, covering the history, culture, and political geography of Palestine (West Bank) and Israel. The tours provide benefit to the indigenous population through the hiring and training of tour guides, overnight stays with families & small guest houses, and encouraging visitors to purchase local crafts.

Siraj Center offers an annual summer experience of either one or two months in partnership with Bethlehem University. Learn Arabic, live in the community, volunteer. They also offer bike excursions, interfaith and youth programs and more. www.sirajcenter.org

Sample Itinerary

Day 1:

Depart US overnight flight

Day 2:

Arrive Tel Aviv / transfer to Jerusalem

Day 3:

(a Sunday in this case) Service at St. George’s Cathedral meet the Archbishop of Jerusalem, walk through the Damascus Gate to Old City and visit Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Day 4:

Visit the holiest Jewish site, the Western Wall of the Second Temple; Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, Israel Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and a scale model of the City of Jerusalem in the first century.

Day 5:

Bethlehem / Mosque of Omar / Herodium (Herod’s summer home) including Shepherds’ Field, Church of the Nativity and the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative

Day 6:

Ramla, site of the Lemon Tree House; Nazareth including Mary’s Well and Church of the Annunciation. Overnight in Nazareth.

Day 7:

Jordan River to renew baptismal vows, Capernaum site of the ancient synagogue where Jesus taught and the Mt. of Beatitudes.

Day 8:

Shefa’ amr, to visit ecumenical work in an Israeli town and Sepphoris, capital of Galilee in the first century.

Day 9:

Jericho, Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a chance to float in the Dead Sea

Day 10:

Zababdeh, a village in northern West Bank with an active Episcopal parish, Nablus with a visit to the Greek Orthodox Monastery built over Jacob’s Well.

Day 11:

St. George’s Monastery carved into the side of Wadi Qelt in the Judean desert. Time for reflection where hermits and monks have sought enlightenment.

Day 12:

Beth-phage to walk down the Palm Sunday road ending at the Garden of Gethsemane; Gallicantu Church, built over the Palace of the High Priest Caiaphas.

Day 13:

Way of the Cross and a free day to shop and visit favorite sites in Jerusalem

Day 14:

Emmaus to celebrate the Eucharist in the ruins of the Byzantine Church.Transfer to the Tel Aviv airport for departure to US.